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The Best Pumpkin Pancakes ~ thick, light and super fluffy, our Pumpkin Pancakes are well spiced, lightly sweet and easy to make too!
Year after year, I’ve tried, and made, a lot of pumpkin pancakes. Â You know, taste testing is the best job ever! Â All that research, and many subsequent lackluster recipes, brought us to where we are today. Â Finally, we have the recipe we’ve been working for. Â If you’re a pumpkin pancake fan (like our daughter-in-law Callie), this is for you!
We recommend using canned pumpkin puree for this recipe.
Canned pumpkin puree gives these little, thick pancakes that gorgeous golden color, while the generous addition of pumpkin pie spice brings the flavor up and over the top. Â Good quality, pure maple syrup and a few toasted, chopped pecans, make this breakfast treat a memorable, fall weekend tradition.
The texture of our Pumpkin Pancakes is surprisingly light and fluffy, not at all dense or heavy.
The almost-spongy pancakes soak up the syrup without falling apart and they never crumble. As you know, pumpkin puree can be used in a wide variety of recipes.  Since these pancakes only require about half a can, you may want to save the rest for our delicious, healthy, Pumpkin Pie Smoothie.  We’re also smitten with our easy make-ahead, show-stopping Pumpkin Creme Brûlée.  It’s a great dessert to serve your holiday company!  For a light and delicious treat that keeps and travels well, I hope you’ll try our twist on the Italian classic – Pumpkin Spiced Pizzelles.
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The Best Pumpkin Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 cups buttermilk well shaken
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted & slightly cooled
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for cooking
Optional for serving:
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- Maple syrup
- Butter
- Whipped Cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to the lowest temperature. Place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven to preheat.
- In a large mixing bowl bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Make a well in the center.
- In a separate small mixing bowl whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, pumpkin puree, vanilla and melted butter. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the center of the flour mixture. Gently fold together with a rubber spatula until just combined. Batter should be lumpy with some streaks of dry flour, do not overmix. Set the batter aside for 10 minutes while preparing the skillet.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Using several folded paper towels, carefully wipe out the extra oil leaving the entire skillet bottom and sides well greased. Keep the oiled paper towels handy for wiping out the skillet if needed.
- Using a ¼ dry measuring cup or an ice cream scoop, portion 3 or 4 pancakes onto the hot skillet. The batter is very thick so the pancakes will be tall. Spread the batter out a bit for thinner pancakes. Cook until the bottom is golden brown and the pancakes appear dry around the edges. Carefully flip the pancakes using a wide spatula and cook another 2 to 3 minutes or until cooked through. Serve immediately or keep warm in the oven in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Wipe out the skillet with the oiled paper towels if needed between batches. Continue cooking until all batter is used. Serve with your favorite toppings. We love a little butter, syrup, and chopped pecans with these pancakes.
Recipe Notes
- Note: Once you’ve made a batch or two of pancakes, you may need to reduce the heat a little. These are thick pancakes that need time to cook all the way through without burning.  I preheat the skillet on medium, then reduce to medium/medium-low after a batch or two.
- Makes 18-20 small, thick pancakes.
Nutrition
We like to use a large non-stick or cast iron skillet to make great pancakes. Â Here are some of our favorite kitchen tools used in this recipe:
      
     
The small print: If you decide to purchase something at Amazon after following my affiliate link, I receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, which I use to pay for web hosting and services for this blog.
And finally, here are a few more pumpkin recipes for you to enjoy this fall:
- Fluffy Pumpkin Pie Dip ~ from Spend With Pennies
- Healthy Pumpkin Blender Muffins ~ from Bless this Mess
- Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal with Vanilla Whipped Cream ~ from Barefeet in the Kitchen
- Honey Pumpkin Dinner Rolls ~ from Seasons and Suppers
- Pumpkin Spice Biscuits ~ from The View from Great Island
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Bebe
Had some leftover Pumpkin puree in the freezer and some buttermilk in the refrigerator so I decided to try this recipe. It is absolutely AMAZING! I had to stop myself from going back for a second helping. The pancakes were so light and fluffy. I topped mine with a little butter, pure maple syrup and chopped pecans. Will definitely be making this recipe again. Thanks so much for sharing
Tricia Buice
So glad you enjoyed these pancakes Bebe! We adore them and wish we made the more often. Such a treat. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Susan
Such a gorgeous stack of pancakes, Tricia! I love all things pumpkin and can’t wait to try them. Beautiful photos!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Susan – we love these pancakes and this recipe was a long time coming. So happy with them!
cheri
These really look special Tricia, they truly do look light and fluffy, I bet thy are delicious.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Cheri!
Monica
What a wonderful fall breakfast this makes! My friend and I were just talking about pumpkin waffles yesterday and how she had one and was surprised at how good it was. I think we’re all thinking all things pumpkin right now. : ) I love seeing it used in ways that make sense and this makes beautiful sense to me. Beautiful, hearty, and nourishing!
Tricia Buice
I would love to try a recipe for pumpkin waffles – I’ll have to search your site and see if you have one 🙂 I love all your recipes Monica. Thanks!
2 sisters recipes
Wow …We love pumpkin pancakes and these look amazing! Can’t wait to try this recipe Tricia! Thank you!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Anna!!!
Karly
Swoon. Can this be my breakfast for, like, the rest of forever? And ever? These look absolutely incredible.
Tricia Buice
Yes indeed! We LOVE these – thank you 🙂
Shannon
These look like pure heaven on a plate and covered in maple syrup! I am most DEFINITELY going to try this recipe ASAP – I have yet to find a pumpkin pancake recipe that I really truly love, but I’m thinking yours may be the one. I’ll let you know once I make them!
PS: Your photography is mind-blowing superb. That first pour shot? SENSATIONAL. Everything is so crisp and perfectly lit. You are officially a new photography inspiration for me! 🙂
Tricia Buice
Oh my gosh Shannon – you made my year!!! Thank you so much for the kind words and I am so excited you’re going to try these pancakes. We truly LOVE them and can’t wait to make them again, and again. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Shannon
My pleasure – all the compliments are very well deserved! 😉 Can’t wait to see more great things from you!
Chris Scheuer
I don’t eat pancakes very often but when I do I want a BIG stack. Like this one, it’s perfect and looks amazingly delicious.
Tricia Buice
We don’t either Chris – in fact just a few times a year. However, these will be our go to pancakes from now on. So pleased to finally have one that is delicious, thick, fluffy and loaded with pumpkin spice. Thanks for stopping by!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
You might not know this, but my favorite food on earth is pumpkin pancakes, and that tall stack is calling my name! Pinning and sharing these beauties all around!
Tricia Buice
I do remember you love pumpkin pancakes Sue – so I hope you’ll get the chance to give these a try. So delicious and I really can’t wait to make them again 🙂 Yeah pumpkin season!
handmade by amalia
I’ve never tried pumpkin pancakes but now know that I must do so and soon – these look amazing and, as always, so beautifully styled. A great post.
Amalia
xo
Tricia Buice
Thank you Amalia – great to hear from you. Hope you have been well 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Lovely pancakes and the pumpkin is so perfect for the season 🙂 Perfect breakfast for dinner!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Jennifer. We are enjoying our pumpkin this year for sure 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Light, tender and so fluffy…these pancakes look just fabulous!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Angie – We are very happy with them. Such a great treat.